Greensill scandal: Tory ‘sleaze bigger than ever’ says Labour as PM warned over election impact

(AFP via Getty Images)

Labour has said that the lobbying scandal surrounding David Cameron demonstrates sleaze in the Tory party is “back and ... bigger than ever”.

The former prime minister has been in the spotlight over Greensill Capital, which he worked for as an adviser, and his bid for the finance firm to be included in a Covid loans scheme.

A series of probes have been commissioned, including by Downing Street, as Westminster looks to understand the role Mr Cameron played in securing Whitehall access for Greensill.

But the environment secretary, George Eustice, said that while there might be “tweaks” required following the review into Greensill, he argued the system is already “pretty good”.

Boris Johnson has been warned he risks losing his election gains against Labour if he does not clean up the “shameful” Westminster lobbying controversy.

Sir Bernard Jenkin, chair of the Commons Liaison Committee, urged the prime minister to get a grip on the lobbying system, arguing failure to be “more transparent” than previous administrations could risk the so-called “red wall” seats.

Read more:

• David Cameron ‘intervened to stop funding cuts’ for legacy project, claims Whitehall source

• Government watchdog hints at further ‘corrosive’ allegations amid lobbying scandal

• Cameron sought to lobby German government on behalf of Greensill